Squad news

BALANCING THE RESULTS

11 Dec 2013Deportivo have passed from been one of the worst locals to be the sixth team in the league with more points added at home. At the same time the Galician outfit remains as the best visitor. A balance that has led to the leadership.

There were a lot of worries at the beginning of the season as Deportivo were having big problems in the matches played at the Riazor. And it’s that Fernando Vazquez’s team suffered two straight losses without scoring goals: 0-1 Vs. Córdoba CF (matchday 02) and 0-1 Vs. Real Murcia (matchday 04).

Meanwhile, the Blanquiazul outfit was showing an impeccable behavior on the road after clinching four wins within the first five away meetings: 0-1 at UD Las Palmas (matchday 01), 0-3 at CE Sabadell CF (matchday 03), 0-2 at Hércules CF (matchday 07) and 0-1 at Barcelona B (matchday 09).

The team even clinched four clean sheets in the period and the only defeat on the road came in the match played at Sporting Gijón (2-0, matchday 05). A lot was said at the time; the media commented the lack of personality to face the home meetings, matches in which Depor should have had the initiative. It was further commented that this was a team for the counterattack, a side that could only yield in moments when it had the advantage or when the rival was the one forced to attack.

But the latest results have changed this image. Since November the team has played six games and only dropped one point. Of those six meetings four were played at the Riazor and three were victories: 2-0 Vs. Real Madrid Castilla (matchday 12), 3-1 Vs. RCD Mallorca (matchday 14) and 2-1 Vs. Deportivo Alavés (matchday 17).

The only slip in the period was the goalless draw hosting CD Lugo (matchday 16). It broke a myth, because Deportivo demonstrated that they can play at home forced or not to have the ball possession. They had the initiative against Real Madrid Castilla and Deportivo Alavés and still got the points. Meanwhile, RCD Mallorca and CD Lugo were more dominating in their games, and Depor got a victory in the first and in the second they were the side closer to score, even hitting the woodwork with a shot by Luis.

The team remained solid in the away meetings and clinched two victories in their two visits played in November: 0-1 at Recreativo de Huelva (matchday 13) and 0-1 at SD Ponferradina (matchday 15). The outcome is that the team has now more balanced results.

From being one of the worst local teams Depor are now the sixth best local with fifteen points added in eight matches disputed at the Riazor. Only Córdoba CF (17), CD Tenerife (17), Sporting Gijón (17), SD Ponferradina (16) and CE Sabadell CF (16) have added more so far. Meanwhile, the team remains as the best visitor with eighteen points added in eight matches played on the road.